Winter is starting to settle in across North America, but the story of November’s snowpack depends entirely on where you look. In the West, the season is off to a slow and uneven start—with many basins sitting far below normal. Meanwhile, the Northeast is stacking up impressive early-season totals, led by standout performers like Jay Peak and Stowe in Vermont.
Western Snowpack Well Below Average in Key Regions
Newly released USDA SNOTEL data paints a concerning picture for much of the western United States. As of November 17, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) levels are lagging significantly across major mountain ranges, especially the central and southern Rockies.
According to the Westwide SWE map, many basins in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, and parts of California are sitting at under 50% of median, with large patches of orange and red indicating substantial early-season deficits.
Only pockets of the Northwest—particularly northern Idaho, Western Montana, and parts of Washington—are reporting SWE above 100% of median. But those strong areas are the exception, not the rule.
In short:
-
Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming: Broad areas <50% of median SWE
-
Nevada & Eastern California: Mostly below 70%
-
Pacific Northwest & Northern Rockies: Among the few regions performing above average
-
Overall: A sluggish, warm, and disappointing start for many western skiers
It’s still early, and one strong storm cycle can shift the outlook—but at the moment, winter in the West is sputtering.
Meanwhile, the East Is Getting Hammered
While the West stalls, the East Coast—especially northern Vermont—is delivering the type of November skiers dream about.
Jay Peak, true to form, has been absolutely getting dumped on. With nearly four feet of natural snow in two weeks, the mountain is already operating in full winter mode. The resort’s uphill access update this week underscored just how deep conditions are, noting multiple feet of snow, lost skiers, early-season injuries, and over-eagerness from newcomers who underestimated the seriousness of mid-November powder.
Jay Peak described current conditions as “anything but middling,” a subtle understatement for what is, at the moment, arguably the deepest early-season snowpack in North America outside of the Pacific Northwest. Stowe Mountain Resort is also reporting remarkable early-season numbers, preparing to open with over 50 trails, more than 20 miles of terrain, and 225 acres—a record for this point in November.
Other New England peaks are following suit, with widespread natural snow, aggressive snowmaking, and colder temperatures than many western ranges.
A Tale of Two Coasts
This November presents a stark split:
-
The West: patchy snow, record-low SWE in major ski states, and delayed openings
-
The East: deep natural snow, early terrain expansions, and some of the best November conditions in recent memory
Climate trends often emphasize Western variability, but this season’s opening weeks show that the Northeast can still steal the spotlight—and the storms.
Winter is young, and patterns can flip fast. But for now, if you want reliable early-season powder, the East is the place to be. Just stay tuned—conditions are evolving quickly, and the next few weeks could rewrite the early-winter map yet again.
